District Youth Speech Contest
Great opportunity for students to learn public speaking!
Stories
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Speaker Piret Harmon, General Manager Scotts Valley Water District The General Manager- ground water management of the Scotts Valley Water District, Piret Harmon, gave us a great presentation on the status of the District, the California drought, and measures to improve the situation. Click the pictures for more information.     |
Welcome new member Susan RiddleThe Scotts Valley Rotary is celebrating induction of a new member: Susan Riddle, Executive Secretary at the Bay Federal Credit Union, and two Red Badgers turning to Blue Badgers: Tanya Krause, Superintendent of the School District (SVUSD) and Sira Taylor Real Estate Agent. We are so happy these great ladies are in our club! Congratulations!!  |
Scotts Valley Rotary Service DayScotts Valley Rotary Service Day was very successful doubling the volunteer hours originally estimated! Well done! Congratulations to all the members who volunteered their time and to the club for support. Together we do make a difference!  Patrizia Materassi cleaning up the beach at Cowells and the Boardwalk. Patrizia and her husband Kim Shultz picked up about 3.5 pounds of mostly plastic trash in half hour at the Boardwalk Beach!  Trash people left at the beach at the Boardwalk: kids flip-flops, water bottles, many bottle capps, cigarettes, tent spikes, silverware,plastic toys, lots of wrappers, foam and plastic pieces... Once inside the ocean all this plastic breaks out in tiny pieces which act as a toxic dust in the ocean becoming part of the food chain, releasing toxins into fishes stomachs and showing up on our dinner table!   Grey Bears Celebration   United Way Stuff the Bus Backpack event for back to school supplies for kids.  |
Speaker Rod Diridon, Sr. Emeritus Executive Director of the Mineta Transportation Institute Rod Diridon, Sr. Emeritus Executive Director of the Mineta Transportation Institute, and Chair of the Rotary Climate Action Council, made a great presentation to our club, showing how each of us can help reduce Climate Change.  He showed how important is to reduce emissions from the Transportation Sector within the next decade before Earth's tipping point.  Showed how he has been doing his part and encourage each of us do ours! |
Rotary Redwood Social WalkCrispy cold, majestic trees, and lots of fun at our "social" walk of the Redwoods Loop at the Henry Cowell's Park!     The giant Redwood trees never stop to amaze us! |
Holiday Lighting FestivalRotarian volunteers helping at the Holiday Lighting Festival on December 4th, serving hot coco and cookies!      Very fun party with hundreds of children taking a picture with the Santa Claus family! A great community event! |
Women in RotaryRegister now! March 13th, 4:00 to 6:00PM at Rotary San Jose Summit Ctr. |
Scotts Valley Rotary Corporate MembershipThe Rotary Club of Scotts Valley is a humanitarian service and leadership club. Now offering, a Corporate membership that allows the business owner, organization and their employees the chance to learn about the needs of their community so they can serve it well while experiencing the personal satisfaction of knowing theyāre helping others. Rotary provides invaluable opportunities for taking on leadership roles while providing networking opportunities and mentoring. This membership level is more affordable and requires a smaller time commitment by allowing staff to rotate attendance at the weekly meetings! Meetings are every Monday from Noon-1:15 PM virtually via zoom and in-person on the last Monday of the month outside the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce Courtyard or at a memberās backyard. To visit a Rotary meeting as a guest or learn more about joining, contact Club President, Patrizia Materassi at 831-334-2383 or email mpatrizia2@gmail.com to learn more and receive an Agenda and meeting zoom link.  |
How to talk to someone who is vaccine hesitantLet's help our friends and relatives to take the vaccine. "For our children and for the children of our friends ..." From Rotary International: |
Rotary International Virtual ConventionGifted sculpture from the Rotarians in Taipei!  Idris Goodwin is an award winning scriptwriter, breakbeat poet, educator and director of The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College. He was recently named a 2021 United States Artist Fellow. He quoted his father: A thing is what a thing does. And so us Rotarians, our actions show who we are.  The 7th and newest cause of Rotary- Protection of the Environment. Richard King says Rotary is in the business of men kind and of humanity. Now we are also in the business of planet sustainability.   Dr Aylward from WHO, said Rotarians have the KnowHow to prepare communities for public vaccinations as they learned from eradication of Polio; Rotarians have the contacts with local and National leaders needed to provide access to sites, and the perseverance which it takes to help to curb Covid in the poorest countries of the world. He encourages Rotarians to participate.  RI President Elect Shekhar Mehta has a dream, he likes to reach 1.3 million members by July 1st 2022! To reach this dream he likes Each One to Bring One!! If each Rotarian brings just 1 more member we can do it!   Holger Knaack, Rotary International President; Rotary Club of Herzogtum Lauenburg-Mƶlln, Germany. He is holding a small model of the Taipei Rotarians sculpture a Dialoge between Time and Space. RI President Holger said : "Taking care of our planet we show respect to future generations." "If you are a Rotarian you are an activist!" "Service Above Self is a reason for being. It is an opportunity to better our selves!" Congratulations for your year Mr President!  |
East Glenwood Preserve Fellowship HikeBeautiful and fun Hike celebrated our first in person get together at the East Glenwood Preserve in Scotts Valley!  Then, we ate our brown-bag lunches at Patrizia's from yard lawn, and personally gave our newest member Bob Anthony his member package and pin! He is one of us now!      |
Scotts Valley Senior Center - Clean Up DayScotts Valley Senior Center - Clean Up Day for reopening of the Center by many local service clubs. ā Organized by Darshana Croskrey, Senior center Director", by Cindy Schuette   Group photo of members of Scotts valley Service organizations including Exchange, Kiwanis, Lions & Rotary Clubs.  |
Debunking President Cindy SchuetteA very fun Debunking Aloha Party for our great President Cindy Schuette! Here is her message to us: "Thank you to our Rotary Club of Scotts Valley 'Ohana' (family). My husband, Bill and Santa Cruz Rotarian always tells me that "time flies by when you are having fun." Yes, two years did fly-zoom by. This was made possible by all of the members and friends of our Rotary club. Thank you for your support and commitment to service above self for our club and community. Thank you for the many accolades and Proclamation Day Award. Our new President, Patrizia Materassi for 2021-2022 is ready to start her year in July. I am looking forward to her year and know she will bring some new ideas and move our club forward to greater accomplishments. Since the 4th of July falls on Sunday this year, our club will have no meeting on Monday July 5. The gavel will be passed at Patrizia's first meeting on July 12. Mahalo to you all for your 'Aloha' Spirit (Aloha has many meanings and two are 'deep caring' and 'love'. Mahalo and Aloha to all. Cindy Schuette, Your President 2019-2021"         |
Speaker Derek Timm, Mayor of Scotts ValleyDerek Timn, the Mayor of Scotts Valley made a great presentation on the status of the city. He shared with us how the city survived the terrible fires, where police and Fire and partnerships with other Agencis all saved our lives and our city. He talked about the impact of Covid on local businesses and the great partnership with the Chamber. Went over projects in the works and financial considerations.  Derek Timn -Scotts Valley Mayor Derek Timn is a small business owner and an attorney who practiced law with Seyfarth Shaw and Ropers Majeski, worked as VP, Business Development of Wish.com and founded Montalvo Homes & Estates. His community work includes six years as President of the Scotts Valley Educational Foundation, Chair of the SV Planning Commission and Chair of Save Our Schools, where he helped pass 3 measures for Scotts Valley Schools including Measure A to rebuild the Scotts Valley Middle School. In 2017 he was honored as Scotts Valley Man of the Year and in 2018 was elected to the Scotts Valley City Council. |
Speaker Ginaia Kelly, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Ginaia Kelly, Executive Director, presented on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. She stated a National marine sanctuary is like a national park underwater. The purpose of the Foundation is to educate the community in their interaction with the ocean, and protect the Sanctuary environment and resources by supporting its programs, projects, and partnerships.       Ginaia Kelly is the Executive Director of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation with more than 15 years of leadership experience with global and local nonprofit organizations. She has lived near the sanctuary for over 25 years and spent much of that time advocating for its conservation and protection.  Before joining MBNMS Foundation, Kelly served as the Board Chairperson for Save Our Shores, as well as the Interim Executive Director of Save Our Shores and Save the Waves Foundation. She led the Santa Cruz County Chapter of the American Red Cross and was the Director of Workforce Development Services, Santa Cruz County, as well as served as a consultant to several marine conservation nonprofit start-ups. Kelly holds a law degree and worked as an attorney in Santa Cruz for many years before making the jump to full-time non-profit management. She holds a BA from University of California, Santa Barbara and a J.D. from University of San Diego School of Law. Kelly and her family have volunteered for numerous community organizations, including having volunteered to take children with disabilities out surfing in the sanctuary with Ride A Wave Foundation for 19 years. Kelly lives along the coast in Davenport with her husband and two sons. She is a former competitive surfer and professional high diver. She can still often be found having "board meetings" at Steamer's Lane.  |
Speaker Ron Sekkel, RotoCare RotaCare in 3 ways: Our own Past District Governor Ron Sekkel made a great presentation. He focused his program on 3 ways of participating at RotaCare: - The Santa Cruz RotaCare Free Medical Clinic, currently located at Star of the Sea Church to serve the uninsured & underserved with access to healthcare. https://www.rotacarebayarea.org/santacruz - RotaCare Bay Area, Inc., a 501.c.3, serving the SF Bay Area with 10 Free Medical Clinics, which includes the Santa Cruz Clinic, and - RotaCare Free Clinics, Inc., a separate 501.c.3, with the intent purpose of helping other regions in the United States to start new Free Clinics. We currently have clinics in New York, El Paso, Texas, and Washington. We are developing clinics in San Antonio & Houston, Texas, Jacksonville, Florida, and in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Ron was instrumental in mobilizing support to provide Covid-19 PPEs for medical workers and patients of 7 of the RotaCare Bay Area, Inc. Clinics via a Rotary Foundation Global Grant. The Rotary Club of Alameda, our international partner club from South Africa, and private donors as Ron, and the immediate Past Governor of District 5170, Ramesh Hariharan, participated in raising $41,000 to buy the PPEs for 7 of the clinics. A separate Grant with the help of 26 Rotary Clubs in District 5160 led by Past President Steve Polcyn of the Alamo Rotary Club raised $51,000 to buy PPEs for the other 3 clubs. Congratulations Ron and much appreciation for all those many who participated in supporting such a worthy cause. |
Speaker Manu Koenig, First District Supervisor for Santa Cruz CountyManu Koenig, first district Supervisor shared his background with us and presented the County of Santa Cruz major issues and his proposals for new policies and change. He updated us on the County approval for potential tiny houses built though partnerships to house the homeless.       Manu Koenig serves as First District Supervisor for Santa Cruz County. The District includes Live Oak, Pleasure Point, Soquel Village, Happy Valley, Soquel San Jose Rd, and a large portion of the Summit area. Parts of the cities of Santa Cruz, Capitola and Scotts Valley are included as well. Manu was originally elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2020. Prior to his election to the Board, Manu worked for several technology startups including Paystand in Scotts Valley. He was Executive Director of Santa Cruz County Greenway and worked on Measure L in Capitola to "Save Our Trestle" for bikes and pedestrians. From 2011 to 2018 Manu was CEO and Founder of Civinomics. The local startup created an online application for citizens to propose and vote on new policy online. It also conducted polling and survey research for local government agencies throughout Santa Cruz County and the Bay Area. Manu was born and raised in Santa Cruz and has family in Corralitos and Live Oak. He has a Bachelor's degree from Stanford University and he is an avid surfer, cyclist and climber. Manu lives in Live Oak with his fiancƩe Leah |
Speaker Thomas Wynn, CEO of WCM Thomas Wynn, CEO of WCM came to our club and responded to numerous financial questions, investment trading strategies, and on recent stock market manipulations that many believe needs to be regulated. Thomas stated he is a Fiduciary Advisor since start meaning first comes duty to shareholders. THOMAS WYNN - CEO In 2003 Thomas founded Wynn Capital Management with a vision of offering the advanced trading strategies normally reserved for institutions and hedge funds to individual investorsāat a fraction of the cost. Thomas worked on the floor of the Pacific Stock Exchange in San Francisco from 1981 to 1996. Starting as a ārunnerā Thomas eventually became an equity and options market maker in 1985. On July 1, 1987 with starting capital of $25,000 Thomas formed his own trading company, Wynn Options. Four months later on Oct 19th Thomas was on the floor of the exchange trading for his own account during āBlack Mondayā the ā23% single day decline that shook global markets. Thomas survived an event that wiped out many professional traders and went on to have a successful nine year career as a floor trader. Thomas bought a seat on the exchange in 1989 and trained and financed other traders. Thomas is active in the Santa Cruz community and is currently: Board Member, Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce ; Guest lecturer in Economics at the University of California Santa Cruz; Past President of the San Lorenzo Valley Chamber of Commerce 2009ā2011; Member of the SLV Rotary Club.  |
Speaker Ken Doctor, Lookout Santa CruzKen Doctor made a presentation and shared with us about this news company...."Lookout is an emerging network of, digital-only, mobile-first, editorially robust, " ...local media outlet offering community-centric; news and resources."   "Lookout Mission: We believe in American democracy and the power of local communities to better themselves. We know that high-quality, trustworthy, non-partisan and connect-the-dots local news reporting is essential to the strengthening of those communities and our country in the 2020s. Acting on that belief, weāve created Lookout Local. Lookout is an emerging network of, digital-only, mobile-first, editorially robust, intensely local media outlets offering community-centric news and resources. The companyās network of websites will serve small to mid-sized markets, repopulating news and advertising deserts with modern, vibrant news products.   |
Speaker Hilary Bryant, Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County As Donor Services Officer of the Santa Cruz County Community Foundation, Hilary is excited to work with current and future donors in planning and creating funds for immediate giving and future giving to help our community thrive. She is passionate about providing opportunities for youth and protection of our environment. She has over twenty-five years of experience as a local government official, tech entrepreneur, and civic leader in Santa Cruz and is excited to share her love of Santa Cruz County with donors.     After she graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Biology, she chose to make Santa Cruz her home. Hilary worked as a real estate broker and met her husband, Dr. David Shuman, a veterinarian. Together, they built Westside Animal Hospital in downtown Santa Cruz. An active volunteer, she was appointed to the Cityās Parks and Recreation Commission, and in 2010, was elected to the Santa Cruz City Council, serving as Vice Mayor in 2012 and Mayor in 2013. During her Council term, Hilary combined her knowledge of regional outdoor resources, business, and technical expertise to help Santa Cruz address critical issues. She worked to grow and retain businesses in Santa Cruz, was active in the endeavor to bring the Santa Cruz Warriors to the City, led efforts to establish the Cityās first Open Data Ordinance, and also developed the first Santa Cruz Youth City Council in partnership with eight local schools. Most recently, Hilary co-founded Buoy Labs, a water-saving technology startup, which was acquired by Resideo Technologies in 2019. She also enjoys surfing, swimming, running, biking, and tries to keep up with her two teenagers in all of their various activities. She currently serves on several area non-profit boards, including Digital NEST and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Hillary is also a member and Past President of the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary.  |
Speaker Bebo White - "All About Bit Coins!"     Bebo White is Emeritus at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, the National Lab operated by Stanford University. He is also a Visiting Professor at The University of Hong Kong. Bebo became fascinated by the world of cryptocurrency after teaching a course about E-Commerce Technology and has been researching, speaking, and teaching about it for the past 10 years. Additional information about him can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bebo-white-763604/ |
Speaker Greg Lukina, David Lyng Real Estate  Greg Lukina is a Realtor with David Lyng Real Estate since 2013 after working for Cahill Contractors, Inc., S.F. as Senior Project Manager. His last project at Cahill was the construction of a $31.5 million, 120-unit apartment project in the Transbay Redevelopment District in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Prior to 2013, he was an engineer at Treadwell & Rollo, Inc., a San Francisco based geotechnical and environmental engineering firm. He earned his M.B.A. from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and an M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a focus in Geotechnical Engineering from the UC Berkeley. He also holds a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the UC Berkeley. In 2018, he became a full-time REALTOR with David Lyng Real Estate. |
Rotary Causes1. Promoting peace 2. Fighting disease 3. Providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene 4. Saving mothers and children 5. Supporting education 6. Growing local economies 7. Protecting the environment  |
Celebrating Jun LeeCelebrating Past-President and Charter member Jun Lee. Jun became an honorary member after his illness. We miss him and send our condolences to his widow Carol and family.   |
Teacher Kavita Gupta, Galapagos Island tripAmazing presentation by a teacher Kavita Gupta, awarded by National Geographic on a trip to the Galapagos Island!      Great way to bring hands-on experience for her class! |
Tina Friend, City Manager of Scotts ValleyGreat update from Tina Friend, City Manager of Scotts Valley!        Thank you Tina to keep us abreast of our community's projects, finances and much more! |
Executive Director Danny Reber, Scotts Valley Chamber of CommerceDanny Reber, Executive Director of the Scotts Balley Chambers of Commerce made a great presentation. Sharing about his Board of Directors and Ambassadors and the benefits to belong to the Chambers, especially during difficult times like now. Great programs and initiatives to support our business community. Congratulations Danny!      |
UCSC Professor Gary Griggs, Natural Disasters in the Monterrey Bay AreaNatural Disasters in the Monterrey Bay Area- a great presentation of impacts of earthquakes, floods, land slides and debris, and shoreline erosion overtime by Gary Griggs, distinguished professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UCSC.        Professor Griggs taught at UCSC for 52 years and served as the Director of the University's Institute of Marine Sciences for 26 years. He recently published his 12th book. In 2016 he was appointed to the California Ocean Science Trust. |
Sue McKinney, Vietnam Interact ProjectSue McKinney presented her incredible "Vietnam Interact Project", helping survivors of human trafficking while educating youth to curb the problem from happening in the first place.        A powerful presentation which provoked our member Sira, who has relatives from Vietnam to offer her own testimony! |
Speaker Chief Ian Larkin, CAL FIREChief Ian Larkin presents on the CZU Lighting Complex Fire. He has been a member of CAL FIRE Command/Incident Management teams since 2011.  |
Speaker Bruce McPherson, County Supervisor Bruce McPherson, County Supervisor for the 5th District came and shared the latest news on the County's situation after devastating CZU Lighting Complex Fire, and recent Planning and Zoning Department policies dealing with streamline permits, FEMA issues, and setting up a resource center at the Keyser Permanente Arena. We are glad all the agencies involved did an outstanding job. |
Speaker Mark Mesiti-Miller, SCC Friends of the Rail and TrailMark Mesiti-Miller is a husband, father, grandfather and a Professional Civil Engineer with more than three decades of experience designing public works infrastructure. Mark is a past two-term planning commissioner and a past president of the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce. Mark first got involved in the Rail with Trail in 1997 and currently serves on the board of the Santa Cruz County Friends of the Rail & Trail, a grassroots volunteer organization founded in 2002. Mark is dedicated to improving the quality of life for everyone by focusing on equitable and affordable housing and transportation.    |
What is a Club Trainer?He or she is a great helper to Rotary Presidents! Check it out!   Training by PDF Tim Lundell |
Student Awards - Scholarship WinnersStudent Awards - Scholarship Winners Presentation: This is our 20 + years Scotts Valley Rotary signature program; this year with 45 awards sent to Jr High and High School Students and 11 College Scholarships for a total of $11,000. Congratulations to all these great students!        |
Rick Flores, Amah Mutsun Land TrustRick Flores made a great presentation on the Amah Mutsun Land Trust.  "Rick is the Director of Horticulture and Steward of the Amah Mutsun Relearning Program at the UCSC Arboretum and Botanical Garden and is also a Research Associate for the Land Trust.  The Amah Mutsun are relearning about their own customs and culture through innovative programs, such as the Native Stewardship Corps, and partnerships with western academics and institutions."  Congratulations for great work Rick! |
Assembly MeetingMembers reviewed the Highlights of the past year 2019-2020, and broke out in groups to discuss goals and projects for the year to come 2020-2021. See summary list of accomplishments in this post. Congratulations Scotts Valley Rotary!  |
President Cindy Schuette kicks off a second termCindy Schuette, our Scotts Valley Rotary President serving for a second year, presided over the Kick-off Meeting for the new Club Year on July 13, 2020!  At our Club Assembly held on 6/29 we reviewed our club accomplishments for 2019-2020 that focused on club Membership, Youth, Fellowship, Seniors/Food Program and International. We then reviewed our goals for this new year within the RI President's theme: "Rotary Opens Opportunities", in 3 breakout rooms. Participanting were club members, Interact and Rotaract. Highlighs included staying the course and continuing with our annual programs: Student awards/scholarships, Interact Student Leadership program, support of UCSC Rotaract; continue to grow our membership; connect more with Interact and Rotaract, and look at ways to engage them with the middle and elementary schools. Add a project in the new 7th Area of Rotary Focus-Supporting the Environment; and maintain our social media presence. We are in a challenging time and will continue to be strong and persevere and carry on doing the best that we can to serve our communityāeveryone. There are challenges at all levels of Rotary International and like our Rotarian leaders, I believe that we will adapt and evolve into an even stronger Rotary.  Thank you for being part of our Rotary Team Family |
Rachel Kippen, Executive Director, O'Neill Sea OdysseyOcean, the Environment and Watershed Ecology, a great presentation by Rachel Kippen, Executive Director!     |
Tanya Krause, Superintendent of SVUSDTanya Krause, Superintendent of the Scotts Valley Unified School District, reported on events that have transpired with the Covid-19 pandemic resulting in restrictions from State and County Public Health Officer as to how schools can operate.  In summary, Distance/or On-Line Learning will continue for all grades, when SV school year resumes on August 24th. Priority for in-person learning is focused first on younger children in elementary school; and, will be approved on a case by case basis by the County Office of Education once infection rates meet state mandated thresholds. For more info click on the pictures, and visit the School district website at: https://www.scottsvalleyusd.org/adm |
District Governor Gregg Giusiana, "Make Membership Meaningful",District Governor Gregg Giusiana made a presentation on "Make Membership Meaninful", and invited members to join in a few seminars with insights to implement this strategy.    We also talked about alliance with Toastmasters and sharing our good deeds with the community! Thank you DG Giusiana! |
Randy Klein: Seeing in the DarkRandy Klein, our own Rotarian made a great power point presentation - "Seeing in the Dark". Here some of the slides.      "Randy was an Air Force brat...Has loved science since his youth, spending hours on the flight line watching jets take off...Randy has made science his career." After 30 years working in the engineering field Randy retired and is now a business owner and Science teacher. |
2020 Rotary International Virtual ConventionSign up for the 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention, a free event, taking place 20-26 June. |
Speaker Sue Saso, wellness coach and health educator      |
Scotts Valley Rotary 45th Anniversary"What a great ZOOM meeting we had to toast to our 45 years as the Rotary Club of Scotts Valley; to thank all of the members past and present and supporters through the years; and to recognize the only Active Charter member, Bob Pagett with a special Honorary Past President's Pin. Bob has been supportive of our club and Rotary throughout the years with his service. We also thanked Jun Lee, former Mayor of Scotts Valley and my sponsor to Rotary 23 years ago. Jun is the only other charter member who was not able to make our meeting due to illness." Cindy Schuette, President  We learned from Bob after the meeting that our club started 45 years ago with 20 members. We grew and for long time we had 40 + members; then lost many members. At the beginning of this club year (2019-2020) we were at 14 members and have welcomed 6 new members for a total of 20 members (we lost 2 for a net to date of 18 plus 8 Associate members for a total of 26 members  Our program featured Michelle and Ralph Sudfeld, Bob's daughter and son-in-law who shared information about the work of Assist International (founded by Bob) with Rotary and other organization's to bring hope to those less fortunate-the hungry, orphans, medical equipment and more in the U.S. and around the World.  District Governor Ramesh and his wife Sobha Hariharan  We missed some of our members serving on the Frontline. Thank you all for continuing to serve in whatever way you are able, especially now during the COVID19 pandemic. All our members are impacted in some way, especially on their jobs including Legislator, Mark Stone; Police, Steve Walpole and associates-Scotts Valley Management Team; Fire, Steve Kovacs; Educators, Tanya Krause and associates, Randy Klein, Danny Reber, Scotts Valley Chamber who are faced with more and more challenges each day to keep our community safe and economically healthy. Everyone, be safe and healthy and thank you for being part of the Rotary Club of Scotts Valley 'Ohana', - Cindy  Jeanne MacClaren, now Rotarian in San Diego  Bob Leith, now Rotarian in Paso Robles  June Smith, our honorary Rotarian and writer |
Thank You to our essential workers We join the Rotary District 5170 in thanking the essential workers |
Zoomin' into 2020 Our Scotts Valley Rotary mtg Monday was on Zoom! Gine Johnson gave us a great update on the status of the County CoronaVirus. Comparing the numbers she said we are very lucky to live in California and specially in our County. Letās keep up with our good distancing-guidelines. It is working! šš We also sang Happy Birthday to Danny Reber and Bill Holl and gave a Paul Harris Award to Ben Hicks! |
Scotts Valley Rotary Speech Contest Scotts Valley Speech contest winner and Interacter, Anika Mistry won area club speech contest! Here with Cindy Schuette. Also with Speech Contest Sunrise Rotarian organizers Dave Campbell, Jeff Kirk, District Speech contest Chair,Kamal, Peter Truman. Thank you Sunrise for organizing contest!  Contest Judges: L to R: Steve Kovacs, Bill Holl, Ralph Rausch, Steve Walpole, Tanya Krause, student timers. |
Speaker Tina FriendTina S. Friend was our speaker at the last meeting. She took the reigns of City Manager of Scotts Valley this last July. She spoke of the Cityās Projects and Initiatives; the tight financial situation and measures to curb expenditures and increase revenues. Thank you Tina!  Prior to that she worked for 14 years for Santa Cruz as Assistant City Manager., from 2010. She brings a wealth of leadership skills to her new role. She graduated from Santa Clara University School of Law; Magna Cum Laude 1995-1999. Tina lives in Aptos with her husband Zack Friend, Santa Cruz Second District Supervisor, and son. Tina is one of our first Associate members under the Corporate Membership category. |
Rotary Hawaiian Music Festival FundraiserYou are invited to attend our annual Rotary fundraiser - A Hawaiian Musical Festival on April 18 at the Scotts Valley Community Center!  Tickets at: hawaiianmusicfestival@brow  Bill didnt win the raffle drawing so we presented him with āThe Kahunaā till the next drawing. The little statue is a ātikiā or a carving of a god who was used in Polynesia to give certain powers. We call it the Kahuna and we give it to the person with the lucky ticket who draws for the black marble for the weekly money prize of $50. If they donāt pull the black marble they lose and get the Kahuna for the week to compensate! |
Speaker: Hung Wei, District Membership ChairHung Wei, the District 5170 Membership Chair made a great presentation! Hung Wei came to the U.S. in 1979, and received a Masters Degree teaching English as a second language from UCLA. She served as a school volunteer for many years in many roles and School Board and member President for the Fremont High School District. She was also Board member of the Asia American Parents Assoc. Membership Director of the League of Women Voters Cupertino-Sunnyvale, and a Past-President and active member of the Rotary Club of Cupertino. Currently serving as a Membership Chair for Rotary District 5170.  āSpeaking about the meaning of Rotary and service and how Rotarians working together can do more for our community. She shared her Rotary āmomentā -a story about a fellow Cupertino Rotarian who grew up poor and when he needed something he received it-new shoes, clothes, school supplies. He didnāt know who the invisible giver was but thought maybe it was a Rotarian and invited others to do the same, and being Rotarians!ā   |
March 2nd Speaker: Ted Whiting, "The History of the Boardwalk" |
Rotary Chico Bag The Scotts Valley Rotary thanks Assist International, Bay Federal Credit Union, and the Santa Cruz County Bank for being donor advertisers for our Chico Bag project- a reusable grocery bag to be used instead of many single-use-plastic bags.
The Chico bag project started a few years ago concurrently with the formation of the Sustainability Committee to help educate people about plastic pollution in the ocean.
These bags are produced in Chico, CA, and can carry up to 25 pounds. We give it to our speakers, and sell it to Rotary members for $5.00 each to keep spreading the word! |
Community Awards Gala Scotts Valley Rotary members Cindy Schuette, our President, Steve Walpole, the Police Chief, and Denny Reber, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, celebrate with Rotarian Tanya Krause at the Chamber of Commerce Mid-Winter Masquerade 2019 - Community Awards Gala.  Tanya Krause, Superintendent of the SVUSD received the Annette Marcum Woman of the Year Award. Congratulations Tanya!  |
Speaker: Virginia Johnson, Santa Cruz County Board of SupervisorsVirginia āGineā Johnson. She is a Policy Analyst for the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/ā¦/BoardofSupeā¦/District5.aspx  She started with the County 7 years ago and prior to that she was CEO/ Executive Director of Ecology Action. https://ecoact.org/ She is a climate change leader and was instrumental in helping to develop the Monterrey Bay Community Power. https://www.mbcommunitypower.org/ Gine was educated at UC Berkeley and has received numerous awards including Women the Year Award for the SC Area Chamber of Commerce and Governors Environmental and Economic Leadership Award. She is married to Bill Holl, has a son, daughter and two beautiful granddaughters! |
Treehouse Cancer InitiativeThe Treehouse's very own Yvonne Vasquez updated Rotarians on our latest research, and fielded questions from community members about childhood cancer and the organizations which work hard to support children with cancer and their families.  Pictured (L-R) Tanya Krause, Superintendent of Scott Valley Unified School District; Steve Walpole, Chief of the Scotts Valley Police Department; Yvonne Vasquez, Jr. Specialist with the Treehouse Childhood Cancer Initiative; Joe Lavelle, Retired NASA Project Manager and Cindy Schuette, President Scotts Valley Rotary. |
January 13th Speaker: Yvonne Vasquez, UCSC Genomics Institute's Treehouse Childhood Cancer Initiative |
Christmas Party 2019The Rotary of Scotts Valley and of San Lorenzo Valley in a joined Christmas Party at the home of Ron and Cindy Sekkel! Fun and joy!!      |
Speaker Brooke Newman, Downtown Streets TeamBrooke Newman made a presentation about DST (Downtown Streets Team) in Santa Cruz.
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Second Harvest Food Holiday DriveThank you to those who turned in donations for Second Harvest Food Holiday Drive. So far we collected $104 which amounts to 416 meals for the hungry.    |
Christmas Carols at Brookdale Assisted Living Steve Walpole, Joe Lavelle & Randy Klein  ā3 wisemen and one wise woman sang holiday music for residents at Brookdale, Scotts Valley. Had fun singing with residents!ā Cindy Schuette |
New Salad Bar at Scotts Valley High SchoolCongratulations to the Scotts Valley High School to open up a salad bar at its cafeteria! ššššš āSALINAS, Calif. ā On Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at Scotts Valley High School and San Benito High School, the Grower-Shipper Association Foundation (GSAF) joined representatives from the districts and local produce companies, to announce the donation and placement of two, new salad bars each at Scotts Valley High School and San Benito High School.ā Tanya Krause, Superintendent of Scotts Valley School District, Quincie Gourley, Marketing Coordinator, Taylor Farms, Shawn Coats, Food Service Supervisor, Scotts Valley School District, Rick Bravo, Sales & Marketing at Ocean Mist.
āThe Grower-Shipper Association Foundation coordinated the donations with the United Fresh Start Foundation, a founding partner of the national Salad Bars to Schools initiative, which works with the produce industry to bring salad bar to schools across the country. The Salad Bars to Schools initiative has created a national movement to encourage more schools to implement salad bars, while to date has helped facilitate the donation of salad bars to over 5,600 schools, benefitting 3 million children in all fifty states. |
Speaker: George Haas, Vice-President of the Scotts Valley Senior Life Association George Haas, Vice-President of the Scotts Valley Senior Life Association made a presentation and outlined great programs where our Rotary Club, the Interact, and the SVHS can join forces to benefit the seniors, the students, and the community. āThe SVSLA is 100 per cent funded by tax deductible donations. All of our members are volunteers. So, we have no overhead, other than expenses directly related to the projects we sponsor.ā Visit the Association website for their mission and on going programs at: http://scottsvalleyseniorlife.org/ āGeorge Haas has been a resident of Scotts Valley for 28 years. He has two grown children, a son and a daughter, who attended Scotts Valley schools and recently graduated from Cal and UCLA, respectively. He has over 16 years experience in the insurance industry, serving now as a financial advisor with an emphasis on retirement planning and investment. His most recent studies deal with new legal and ethical standards to protect the rights of senior citizens during the financial advisory process. Currently he is an active member of the Scotts Valley Senior Center. He is using his special talents as a photographer to record SVSLA activities.ā |
Speaker Mark Stone, State AssemblymanState Assemblyman Mark Stone spoke about our State budget, budget priorities including senior programs, education, affordable housing, homelessness need for regional plan. Mark works diligently representing our District. We plan to invite him back since meeting attendees had more questions.ā Cindy Schuette .jpg) |
Speaker Tina Friend, Scotts Valley City Manager Tina Friend, the City Manager for the City of Scotts Valley made a great presentation regarding the state of the City. āThe updated General Plan for the city is in the works and will be completed within the year. The biggest problem facing the City of Scotts Valley is government funding.ā Bill Holl  āAt the City of Santa Cruz, Ms. Friend served as the Chief Operating Officer and oversaw the day-to-day operations of six departments and over 100 staff members, including the Planning and Community Development, Economic Development and Finance Departments, helped develop the annual $250 million budget and implementation of a fiscal sustainability plan, and other projects including the Warriors basketball arena, public safety initiatives, strategic planning, community engagement, and housing policy. She served on regional boards and committees such as the Santa Cruz Animal Shelter, Chamber of Commerce, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, 9-1-1 Center and United Way, and cultivated strong partnerships with countywide leaders in public safety, tourism, neighborhood groups, business and non-profits, and local and state government. Ms. Friend holds a Masterās Degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University and a Juris Doctor Degree from Santa Clara University School of Law. |
Glenwood Preserve Hike Fresh crispy air, beautiful views, good exercise, and fellowship! Nothing better than a Rotary club hike! āScotts Valley Rotary Club members and friends hiked through the newly developed Glenwood Preserve with guide Bryan Largay of the Santa Cruz Land Trust this past Veteran's Day.ā Cindy Schuette, Rotary of Scotts Valley President Congratulations! ššššš
āAfter the hike, Rotary District Governor, Ramesh Hariharan presented the club with the Rotary Foundation Appreciation Certificate for its financial support of the End Polio Now: Countdown to History Campaign for 2018-2019. The Campaign continues to End Polio Now.ā
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Interact 5170ās Fall Leadership ConferenceSupport the Interact 5170ās Fall Leadership Conference!!  āŖRegister here: ā¬ https://www.tinyurl.com/ |
Senior Center 30th AnniversaryThe Scotts Valley Senior Center 30th Anniversary. Our President represented our Rotary Club as one of their Sponsors this past Friday.  SC Senior Center Director Darshana Crosbrey is at the Sponsor Business Display proudly showing the Rotary Wheel. Just a note- the SV Senior Ctr was designed by our own famous Architect and Past President Bill Holl; and Pres George H W Bush met there with Secret Service when he visited Earthquake damages in Oct 1989. |
Speaker: Stephen Slade, Land Trust of Santa Cruz CountyCindy Schuette with Stephen Slade, after his presentation on the wild life tunnel.  Stephen Slade is the Executive Director of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County. Prior to that he worked for the Elkhorn Slough Foundation andar KUSP in Santa Cruz. The Land Trust of Santa Cruz is a non-profit organization who through private donations and some State support will be building the wildlife tunnel under Hwy 17 at Laurel Curve. |
Speaker: Supervisor Bruce McPhersonSupervisor Bruce McPherson also addressed the problem of what to do with plastics since China is no longer buying plastics. He was a wealth of information. So much to cover in so little time!  |
Check presentationsCindy Schuette, our Rotary President, presenting a check from the SV Rotary to Santa Cruz Rotary Club President, Ross Condit, for their Guatemala Water project. Santa Cruz chartered our club over 40 years ago and have been very supportive of our projects through the years.  Cindy making presentation of our Rotary Club donation to the Rotaractors Big West Conference coming up on October 25-27 in Vancouver, Canada. Rotaractors receiving the donation were: Derek Ngyuen and Angel Solares.  |
Speaker: Rita Ousterhout from UCSCRita Ousterhout from UCSC IGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machines) Stable Vaccines Research Program was our speaker with Marcella Mirabelli, and another team member. āTheir teamās project is to develop-engineer ways to improve thermal stability of vaccines by adding proteins. An application to help food supply and prevent Newcastle disease that kill chickens.ā  |
Rotarians Past-President Bill Holl starting the meeting with a song on guitar, helped by beautiful voice of our current President, Cindy Schuette.  Our forever Sargent-At-Arms Marc Winquist with his special thank you reward hat. |
Fall 2019 upcoming events |
Speaker Zeda DowellZeda Dowell made a great presentation and shared with us how life is for a girl being born Muslim, the culture, religion, values, and how men of good will are all born the same.  |
Speaker Mark Adato, Monterey Bay Community Power Mark Adato, Community Outreach/Events Coordinator of Monterey Bay Community Power(MBCP)made a great presentation! He described how this innovative, locally controlled, not for profit, Community Power provides cleaner energy at a lower cost, while supporting low-income rate payers, and funding local renewable energy projects!   |
Teacher Recognition Breakfast Bill Holl, past President, Cindy Schuette, President,Tanya Krause Superintendent, Michael Hansen, Principal of SVHS, Randy Klein in the foreground, and Principals from the Middle and Elementary Schools receiving a check from our Rotary. .jpg) Teacher Recognition Breakfast, from left to right is Cindy Schuette, Rotary of Scotts Valley President, Michele Steward, Assistant Superintendent, Tanya Krause, Superintendent of the Scotts Valley School District, and Randy Klein, from the Tutoring Club, and substitute Physics teacher at the SVHS and also our dear Rotarian! |
Speaker Carol Childers, Meals on Wheels Carol Childers, Associate Program Director at Meals On Wheels (MOW) made a presentation to our club. She has been providing services at MOW for 25 years! This is a meal service to those who needs the most and it includes a personal contact which is fundamental and complimentary to this serviceāFood for the body and for the soul! Thank you so much Carol for so many years of dedication and services for so many years! |
New members Tanya Krause and Steve Walpole Celebrating the induction of new ācorporateā members Tanya Krause Superintendent of the Scotts Valley School District and Police Chief Steve Walpole! |
Maggie Ivy from Visit Santa Cruz Maggie Ivy stated 75 % of our visitors are from California and mostly within 3 hours of Santa Cruz. Approximately 13% are international. The remaining are from other states. Check the publications for all kinds of programs and incredible places to go just around the corner from our houses! https://www.santacruz.org/  |
Stew Roth, PG&E Senior Public Safety Specialist and Rob Morse, Senior Manager Stew Roth, PG&E Senior Public Safety Specialist and Rob Morse, Senior Manager for the Central Coast made a great presentation. Much has improved on the ways to be prepared and to prevent wildfires. Extreme wind, temperature, and dry conditions on the ground are continuously monitored and as needed notifications will go out and power must be shut down to avoid uncontrollable fires. Visit the website for all info needed, stay connected, and plan to have your own generator if anyone in your family depends on electricity for life supporting devices. Visit pge.com/wildfiresafety Attend OPEN HOUSE! Fire Prevention/ Community Wildfire Safety Program on August 5, at the Louden Nelson Ctr. from 5:00 to 8:00 PM   |
Debunking Bill HollFour generations of Rotary Club presidents, from R to L: Cindy Schuette - our current Rotary President, Bill Holl - President of the Rotary Club of Scotts Valley for the past 2 years, Karen McNamara - past President of the Rotary Club of San Lorenzo Valley and current Assistant Governor District 5170, and President-Elect Patrizia Materassi. .jpg) Bill Holl, his wife Gine Johnson, and Ron Sekkel!  |
Tanya Krause Tanya Krause, Principal at Scotts Valley Unified School District, and Kim Shultz, Board Trustee, presented on the School District accomplishments for the year, including an update of the successful completion of the Middle School construction project; on a new program to serve at risk and other students which has potential to increase the number of students in the District therefore increase reven...ues; professional development for staff; their renewed support to Mark Andrews environmental programs including the GreenTeam and the Marine Debris Program and many more. https:// Tanya has now a ācorporateā type membership recently approved and activated which allows teachers, Board members, and staff to alternate with Tanya to attend our Rotary meetings. Welcome aboard Tanya!! We are so please to have you as part of our club! |
Mark and Patrizia Mark Andrews and Patrizia Materassi. The Sustainability Committee chaired by Patrizia was instrumental in enhancing the GreenTeam programs at the SVHS. The Sustainability Committee pledges to continue offering in kind support to the GreenTeam and Marine Debris Program at the school, with the goal to help SVHS become an Ocean Guardian School elegĆvel for 4 more years of grants. https:// |
Mark and Carrie Mark Andrews with Carrie Birkhofer, one of our dear Rotary members, after a great presentation. The Scotts Valley GreenTeam leaded by Mark Andrews has gone over and beyond any expectations! Just check out the school drought tolerant, toxic chemical free campus landscaping, the organic garden, movie with NOAA, few grants and more coming with our Rotary Club and the NOAA Ocean Guardian School Program, connections with City Hall, and local business community, without mention the involvement of at risk students and more! Congratulations to Mark and his students at the Scotts Valley High School! |
The passing of Jim Sikora and Bob MazurekWe have been sad lately. Two more of our dear elderly Rotarians passed away. Jim Sikora and Bob Mazurek. Instead of just being sad we like to celebrate their lives, as they were great people and Rotarians! We will miss them dearly.
We like to share their many accomplishments and Rotary work and will do so as their families become ready. See Bob Mazurek in this picture, with his wife Julie, just a few months before passing in his 80's volunteering at the Scotts Valley Art, Wine and Beer Festival! Bob was a steady participant and rarely missed any meetings! Bob and Jim were members of the Scotts Valley Rotary Sustainability Committee. May they Rest in Peace! (Update: Services for Bob will be Tuesday October 25 at 10:00 AM at San Augustin Catholic Church in Scotts Valley- See Obituary in comment below.) We send all our love and strength in this difficult moment to Bob's wife Julianne Mazurek, and to Jim's wife Marie Sikora. |
Speaker Mark StoneMark Stone made a very engaging presentation at the Scotts Valley Rotary Club. Starting many discussions that we need to call him back soon! Mark served as Chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee.  Mark Stone is a former Santa Cruz County Supervisor, Trustee of the County of Education, Member of the California Coastal Commission and member of our Club. Congratulations Mark! |
October 22nd speaker: Fred KeeleyMeasure H Campaign |
Speaker Michelle Sudfeld, Assist InternationalMichelle Sudfeld, Director of Administration/Orphan Programs at ASSIST INTERNATIONAL gave us an encouraging, energizing and inspiring presentation! It is difficult to find a better organization than Assist International to represent the spirit of Rotary - Service Above Self! Check website at: www. assistinternational.org
Here programs of Assist International:
Michele is passionate about rescuing Orphaned and Vulnerable children in developing countries. She works closely with Assist International partners in Africa, Romania, and Thailand. One child at the time! She oversees building of homes and schools for the children and ensures Assist Internationalās orphan villages are viably sustained through donor support and enterprise solutions!
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Welcome Back to School eventRandy Klein from the Tutoring Club represented so well our Rotary Club at the Scotts Valley High School -Welcome Back to School event. A very well attended, high energy event where the community shows the teachers their gratitude and support.   |
Speaker Jonathan Hicken, Director of Development & Partnerships at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History |
International Convention presentation from Ron SekkelRon Sekkel, one of our own and best mentor in Rotary made a great presentation on the recent International Convention in Toronto, Canada. Shared with us the fun secrets of attending RI Conventions  Ron Sekkel here with two other very special Rotarians, Jean McClaren and Cindy Sekkel, his wife!  Rotary District 5170 House of Friendship Booth. Hundreds of booths representing projects from all the approx. 27,000 people attending this Convention were in display at the House of Friendship- support, participate, or just learn and be renovated in your hope for this world!  |
